Nearly 40 area educators were honored at the annual Salute to Excellence. They are:

* denotes semi-finalist ** denotes finalist

Nearly 40 area educators were honored during the annual Salute to Excellence.

Hosted by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Monday morning’s reception was designed to “put the spotlight on the best educators in Onslow County,” said Laurette Leagon, chamber president.

Leagon said that the chamber makes a point of being involved with area schools because the education system is what gets communities qualified employees.

The teacher of the year competition, Assistant Superintendent Lesley Eason explained, began with 37 portfolios where teachers addressed their philosophy of education, the challenges teachers face, their influences and more. Those portfolios led to the selection of 10 semi-finalists and five finalists.

“It’s a very special process with a lot of special people,” Eason said.

Among those honored was Rochelle Curlee, a fourth grade teacher at Jacksonville Commons Elementary. Curlee was recognized as the school’s teacher of the year.

Curlee, who has been teaching in Onslow County for five years, said that while the teacher of the year competition process was time consuming, it was worth it.

“It made you really think about why you were selected,” she said, explaining that she felt she was selected because she was the teacher everyone turns to as a resource.

Southwest High School algebra and AVID teacher Mary Wible was also among those recognized as her respective school’s teacher of the year.

“It’s a huge honor to be chosen by your peers because I know how hard everyone works, so for them to recognize my efforts means a lot,” she said.

Wible, who has been teaching for about 28 years, said that the competition gives teachers a chance to reflect.

“I think the portfolio itself gives you an opportunity to recommit at some level to why you do what you do,” she said.

The awards were well-deserved, according to Robbie Yates, a member of the workforce advisory committee within the chamber who helped present the awards.

“Let’s face it, nine months out of the year, 10 months out of the year, you guys have more of an impact than at home,” he said.

Also recognized were the finalists for the Onslow County Schools teacher principal of the year, assistant principal of the year and of the year.

Carolina Forest Elementary School Principal Helen Gross, Jacksonville High School Assistant Principal Angela Garland and Jacksonville Commons Middle School music teacher Sonja Williams were each presented with a gift basket from Office Max, a one night stay at Home2Suite, a plaque, a copy of an article from The Daily News regarding their recognition, and a gift bag from Mary Kay cosmetics.

Page 2 of 2 - The salute has been taking place for about 20 years, according to chamber staff.

Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News. She can be reached at amanda.hickey@jdnews.com.